Energy Star: what is this program and why is it needed?

For sure many owners of computers when turning on the device saw on the monitor the logo of the program Energy Star. But far from everyone thinks about what it symbolizes. Therefore, it is worth looking at some of the Energy Star standards separately. What kind of program is it, it will be clear if you pay attention to the basic requirements for various devices. And this applies not only to computer technology and peripherals. The range of issues related to the main directions of the program is much broader.

Energy Star: What is this program?

Initially, this program was adopted in the US in 1992. And then, and now it is considered that the Energy Star is a single international standard for energy efficiency of equipment or devices.

At the very beginning of the program, it was assumed that any device that has such a logo uses the so-called economical mode of operation, in which, first of all, energy consumption is reduced by 20-30% compared to conventional models (now this figure varies within 40 -65%).

However, the program extends to some other aspects, not just energy conservation. For example, since 1995, the voluntary certification under the Energy Star standards has been extended to heating and lighting systems, and then a system of incentives for achievements in the field of energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources was introduced.

The main directions of the program

Now one more look at the Energy Star standard. What kind of program is it, in general terms it is understandable. Let us dwell on some additional aspects.

Among all that today implies the operation of the program, you can identify several of the most important areas:

• Reduction of energy consumption by devices of any type;
• Restriction of use in the production of heavy metals or poisonous substances;
• Reduction in the use of substances harmful to human health and the environment;
• Reduction of consumption of natural resources due to the introduction of secondary waste processing;
• Reduction of waste and emissions;
• Increase in the service life of the equipment due to its modernization.

If you look at some of the items, as an example, you can bring new models of batteries and batteries that have a longer life. In computer technology, you can look at energy-saving monitors, as well as devices with automatic shutdown mode after a certain period of inactivity (the same Windows 10 sleep mode).

Characteristics and requirements

Since now we are considering computer subjects, let us dwell on some of the requirements for such devices in more detail. As an example, take printers, scanners and copiers.

Here, the Energy Star standard automatically reduces power consumption 15 minutes after the last printing or copying, 30 minutes after the end of the process (only for models with the copy function), switches to standby after 30 minutes and uses two-sided printing as a priority .

Using the program in computer technology

With computer systems, in general, the Energy Star program interacts closely enough. Probably, there is no need to explain that practically all operating systems have a sleep or hibernation mode, which is turned on by default.

In addition, in the same Windows-systems there are several schemes of power consumption. The factory setting is set to a balanced mode, but you can easily set a reduced power consumption.

As for the standard for computers, it provides power consumption of not more than 200 W, switching to economy mode after 15 minutes with recovery within 45 seconds, power consumption when switching off no more than 10 W after 30 minutes with recovery within 75 seconds. The last parameters are also applied to the standby mode.

Windows 10 sleep mode and Energy Star connection

In Windows 10 and lower, you can enter the corresponding section either through the options menu, or through the "Control Panel", or through the right-click menu on the battery status icon (for laptops) with the selection of the title bar of the section.

Here you can choose from a variety of options, including screen brightness, hibernation time, power off or disk disks, actions with a cover, etc. This approach becomes a very effective means of reducing energy consumption, because it is difficult to imagine that a person, Even if his work is connected with the use of computer technology, the whole day will sit in front of the monitor, without getting up and not going anywhere. In older systems for such purposes, the transition to the screen saver mode was applied, but now all the settings are made exclusively through the proposed power schemes.

Instead of an afterword

These are the main provisions of the Energy Star standard. What kind of program is that, probably, many have understood, as well as the fact that it spreads not only to computer devices. If you characterize the direction of its operation in general terms, here there is not only savings, but also a lot of issues related to environmental protection, preventing the harmful effects of any type of equipment on both nature and human health. Well, the adoption of these standards is voluntary, since the program is initially positioned precisely in this perspective. But if you look at the problems of energy saving and environmental protection, it's hard to imagine that in the near future, a technology that is not certified for this or any other similar standard will be in demand. That is why almost all manufacturers consider the receipt of such a certificate a matter of honor.